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Monday, January 25, 2016

Guest Post: 5 Love Letters Your Child Needs from YOU

This guest post has the power to enrich your relationship with your children. Everyday I want to tell my children what they mean to me. I've noticed that expression is the floodgate for confidence, warmth, and appreciation. Just doing acts for them everyday isn't enough - they need to hear (or read) words from me; as a parent, my words shape their world.

Words from our Heavenly Father can be just as powerful for our children. That's why I'm so excited to introduce you to a resource meant for little ones that helps them know God's love personally. In Little Love Letters from God, author Glenys Nellist shares eight lift-the-flap letters based upon biblical stories. You can register for a free copy of her new book by scrolling down on the homepage or by clicking here. The giveaway will run until 9 am EST Saturday.

In the spirit of her book, Glenys is sharing five creative, heart-warming ways that we can write love letters to our children (or grandchildren) to tell them what they mean to us. I love #4! She writes:

Write Love Letters in Birthday Cards:

When you choose a birthday card for your child or grandchild, pick one that has enough space to write a love letter inside. Begin with Dear ______, what are you like at two (or whatever age they are)? Tell the child what toys they enjoy playing with, what they are good at, a fun day you shared together, and what it is you love about them. These cards containing love letters will become precious mementos for the child and parents to look back on year after year.

Keep Love Letter Journals:

I have four precious grandchildren. Before they were born, I bought a small notebook for each one, and began to write love letters to them. The first letter I wrote was while they were still in the womb, where I shared the hopes I had for them, described the family they were about to be born into, and told them about their family ancestry. Now I write letters to them about every six months, describing what they are like, how they are growing and how they spend their days. How precious these letters will be when I am long gone, and because they are contained in a book, the letters will not be lost.

Share a Love Letter Journal With Your Child:

Buy a journal and explain to your child that this will be a shared love letters book. Begin by writing a simple love letter to them, like Dear ________, I loved baking cookies with you today! See you tomorrow...sleep tight. I love you, Mom. Tell your child that every night at bedtime (or whatever arrangement works for you), you can each write a love letter in the journal. This shared letter-writing can begin even at a young age, when it can aid early reading and writing skills, not to mention the love-filled conversations it will inspire!

Make an "Open When" Love Letter Box:

Write love letters to your child for them to "Open When." Label each envelope, place them in a box, and decide with your child where the box should be kept. Some ideas might be Open When:

You Feel Sad

You Turn Seven (or whatever birthday is next)

We’ve Had a Fight

You Can’t Sleep

You Need to Remember How Much You’re Loved

You Want to Laugh

You’ve Had a Bad Day at School

You Need Reminding How Much God Loves You

It’s Christmas Eve

You’re Worried About Tomorrow

Put a Love Letter in the Mail:

Don’t wait for a special day like Valentine’s, Christmas or their birthday to write a love letter to your child. Just write one from the heart, and most importantly, pop it in the mail!

Happy love letter writing!

Glenys

P.S. Be sure to check Laura Sassi's blog the week of Feb 7th for a free love letter Valentine’s craft!